TRACHEAL INTUBATION VIA THE LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY - A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO DIRECT LARYNGOSCOPY FOR NURSING STAFF DURING CARDIOPULMONARY-RESUSCITATION

Eight nurses with no previous experience of advanced airway management were randomly assigned to be taught tracheal intubation either by dir ect laryngoscopy or via a laryngeal mask. Once competent in the techni que using a manikin, they attempted a maximum of ten intubations on an aesthetised patients. They were then taught the alternative technique and the assessment repeated. Median times for practice were the same f or both techniques. Intubation in under 30 s was successful via the la ryngeal mask in 60% of patients (42/70) compared to 39% (27/70) when u sing a laryngoscope (P = 0.11). It appears that non-medical personnel can be successfully taught to intubate the trachea using the laryngeal mask as a conduit, for those circumstances where a cuffed tracheal tu be is considered essential during resuscitation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd.